Tetzaveh excerpts

תצוה

 

Shabbat Shalom

(28:29) Aaron would bear the names of the children of Israel on his heart, when he went into the Sanctuary, for a continual remembrance.

 

Who do you remember when you are in shule? Mr. Goldsmith, we know who you are remembering. Not your family...Who do you bear on your heart? It should be your sins...

Jewish leaders must bear the names of the Jews on his heart. The names of the people.

The leaders of this people. Do they do it for themselves, or for you?..The JCC needs a new gym, but do they build it? No. They start these afternoon programs for kids and retirees. Because they do not care about people...Problem!!!

Sforno- As the breastplate beared the names of the the tribes, H' would remember the righteous sons of Yaakov, and that would bring Brachot/blessings to Israel.

We cannot bear the names of the people of this congregation, Anshei Shalom...would bring thoughts of liars, cheats, children with Tshirts in shule, people who do not pay their dues... We must bear the names of your ancestors, because they were righteous. They paid their dues.

What do you bear on your heart? I have seen many of your Tshirts. 'Get some of this.' 'Swag.' 'Maccabia.' Should we be bearing the names of a competition of Jews against Jews?...This is what you bear, pop culture...We can not depend on Bieber to step in for us and wear the breastplate with honor...smoking the Urim & Tumim...No respect...The Cohen has laws and has to wear the breastplate with respect. Respect for tradition. Respect for the rabbis parking spot...

Where do your blessings come from? I can see that Mr. Goldsmith's blessings come from not being loyal to his family...

What we bear on our heart is what we care about. What we believe....I believe that Michal has Swag...

And in that Breastplate (Choshen), were the Urim and Tumim, used to tell judgment

When we go to judgment, this week of February 7th, may we be judged for our righteous ancestors. May we not be judged for 'Getting some of this,' like Mr. Goldsmith...

Yes. We all hate going to conferences. But may we wear the name tag with love and blessing...Now I will pass around name tags of the only important people in this congregation who can bring blessing to you...You will all receive a name tag with your rabbis name...

***These are excerpts from the sermon. For the sermon in its entirety, come see David Kilimnick perform at the Off The Wall Comedy Basement, in downtown Jerusalem.

David also tours as a Maggid with very few stories, if you invite him.

Shabbat Shalom uMvorach